Yesterday, reports surfaced indicating that Toronto Raptors brass were looking at acquiring Boris Diaw from the Utah Jazz. The 35-year-old French national was being shopped by his team who hoped to get something in return for the declining veteran big man. According to information obtained by various outlets, including The Salt Lake Tribune, the Raps were engaged in talks to land Diaw in exchange for undisclosed assets.
This deal eventually fell through likely due to failed negotiations, and Boris was promptly waived shortly thereafter. However, if Masai Ujiri, Bobby Webster, and the rest of Toronto's front office still have some semblance of interest in the power forward, they can now approach him as a free agent in the open market. There has yet to be any more news on a potential deal, but should the Raps do so, they will no longer be forced to sacrifice picks or players in order to bring the big man to Toronto.
Diaw has slowed down as of late, registering only 4.6 points and 2.2 rebounds per game last season, but the 6-foot-8 beast does have plenty of experience. Boris was a part of the championship-winning San Antonio Spurs in 2014, and won Most Improved Player way back in 2006 with the Phoenix Suns. Along with his professional career in North America, Diaw also had a stint in the French League where he played for Élan Béarnais Pau-Lacq-Orthez.
Should the Raptors indeed manage to sign the veteran, it would be another piece of the puzzle added during a busy off-season. You may also recall that Canada's team finally confirmed deals to ship out DeMarre Carroll and Cory Joseph to the Brooklyn Nets and Indiana Pacers respectively. With this latest bit of chatter online, it looks like fans will have to stay on their toes these next few days.
